Automatic time control system for radio receiving apparatus



Feb. 27, 1934. K. PURDY 1,943,572'

AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL SYSTEM Foa RADIO' REOEIVNO APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet l {53c- INVENTOR. Agfa/mda@ @ww ATTORNEY Feb. 27, 1934.

K. PURDY 1,948,672 ,AuToMAT-Ic TIME coNTRoL SYSTEM FOR RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS `Filed Jan. 2. 1931 4 sheets-sheet' 2 Er; E

INVENTOR. Wm/whiff S14/u) ATTORNEY Feb. 27, 1934.

AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL SYSTEM F Filed Jan.

:ELST-..- 6 f K. PURDY 0R RADIO RECEIVNGAPPARATUS 2, 19:51 4 sheets-Sheet 2.

t INVENTOR,` Ka/deff 44@ ATTORNE Feb. 27, 1934.

K. PURD'Y 1,948,672 AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL SYSTEM FOR RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 2, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 N V EN TOR. afa/mda@ 5ft/vid, BY

@maf

A TTORNEY Patented Feb. 27, 1934 AUTOMATIC TIME CONTROL SYSTEM FORv RADIO RECEIVING APPARATUS Kendall Purdy, Amityville, N. Y. Application January 2, 1931. serial N. 506,222

' s claims. (o1. 25o- 20) My invention relates broadly to radio receiving apparatus and more particularly to a radio broadcast receiver having means for selectively tuning the circuits of the receiver to particular broadcast frequencies at predetermined times.

One of the objects'of my invention is to provide an automatic control system for radio broadcast receivers by which a radio receiver may be autol matically tuned to a particular radio broadcast program at a definite time to insure the reception of a particular program.

Another object of my invention is to provide an automatic control apparatus and clock mechanism arranged in combination with a radio broadcast receiver and effective to pretune the radio broadcast receiver to particular programs throughout the day.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a combined clock mechanism pretuning apparatus and radio broadcast receiver by which the operation of the radio broadcast receiver may be prearranged from the publishedprogram so that the radio broadcast receiver goes into operation at predetermined times on selectedfrequencies for the reception of chosen programs throughout the day.

Other and further objects of my invention reside in the arrangement of automatic control apparatus for a radio broadcast receiver as s et forth more fully in the specication hereinafter following by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates in elevation the assembly of the radio broadcast receiver within a clock and' illustrating the means for pretuning the receiver to selected programs; Fig. 2 is a front view of the clock dial and the selective mechanism accom-` panying the dial for eiecting a pretuning of the radio broadcast receiver; Fig. 3 is an elevational view showing the arrangement of the automatic tuning mechanism and manual tuning mechanism in association with the tuning apparatus ol the radio broadcast receiver; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken" through a 'portion of the clock face and the selective pretuning mechanism associated therewith; Fig. 5 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 4 showing one of the se lector pins depressed for preconditioning the radio broadcast receiving apparatus for the reception of-a particular program; Fig. 6 is a view similar to the views shown in Figs. 4 and 5 but illustrating one method I employ in yejecting the selector pins from a depressed position; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the clock dial with parts of the selector mechanism shown in cross-section on line 7 7 of Fig. 6; Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 'l with parts of the selector mechanism shown in cross-section on line 8-8 of Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is an enlarged Iview oi one of the selector pins illustrated in normal position with respect to the clock dial; Fig. l0 is a view of one of the selector pins in depressed position for effecting a control operation of the radio receiver; Fig. 11 is a plan View of the tuning actuator employed in the pretuning system of my inl vention; Fig. 12 is a plan view of the tuning actuator showing one of the control solenoids energized for effecting an operation of the tuning actuator; Fig. 13 is an enlarged side elevation of the tuning actuator with parts illustrated in crosssection on line 13-13 of Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a crosssectional view taken through one of the control solenoids of the tuning actuator; and Fig. 15 illustrates diagrammatically the principle of operation of the selector mechanism, the tuning actuator and the tuning apparatus for the radio broadcast receiver, as embraced by the principles of my invention.

y My invention is directed to a combined clock and radio broadcast receiver where the clock has 8,0

yselective mechanism associated therewith for effecting a pretuning of the radio broadcast receiving Aapparatus to particular frequencies at predetermined times. The selective mechanism includes a plurality of radially disposed rows of 86 selector pins arranged around the dial of the clockand adapted to be selectively depressed for ejecting particular pins in the path of a brush member which is moved simultaneously with the hour hand ofthe clock. A circuit is completed 0l) by the wiping contact established between a depressed selector pin and the brush moved by the hour hand of the clock which circuit leads to a solenoid device arranged to operate a tuning actuator. The tuning actuator includes a cardiold shaped cam which connects through a system of gears to the rotary shaft of the tuning apparatus of the radio broadcast receiver. A rotary shaft of the tuning apparatus is mounted in roller bearings and i's accurately balanced and poised so 100 that an extremely small turning torque is necessary to effect movement of the tuning apparatus to selected positions. The adjustment of the tuning apparatus is such that when once shifted to a particular position the apparatus balances in that position. The cardioid shaped cam is arranged in a plane which also includes the axes of the control solenoid. A multiplicity of such control solenoids are arranged within an angular distance of around the cardioid shaped cam, 110

one solenoid being provided for each pretuning condition which is desired in the radio broadcast receiving apparatus. The angular position of the several solenoids may be adjusted to accurately set or calibrate the receiving apparatus for the required pretuning conditions. A selector pin in each concentric row of pins in the selector mechanism associated with the clock valve is connected to control the circuit through a particular solenoid. That is the circuit through' a particular solenoid may be controlled by any one of the pins disposed in a particular row of pins constituting part of the selective mechanism. The number of solenoids corresponds to the number of radially positioned pins in each row about the clock dial. The length of time during which the radio receiving apparatus is tuned to a particular frequency is determined by the number of selector pins which are depressed -successively in the same concentric row. Under this condition the movement of the brush attached to the hour hand merely functions to maintain the circuit through a particular solenoid with infinitesimal breaks therebetween as the brush leaves one pin and contacts with a successive pin in the same circular row. Where it is desired to change the frequency setting of the receiver a different pin in a different circular row will be depressed and a circuit will be established through a different solenoid which will operate to shift the cardioid cam angularly to the required pretuned position as the aforementioned solenoid will be simultaneously deenergized, releasing the cardioid cam from the prior frequency setting.

The radio receiving apparatus may be pretuned from programs from any number of broadcast stations according to the number of selector pins provided in each radial row and the corresponding number of controlling solenoids employed to operate upon the tuning actuator. Where it is desired to operate the radio broadcast receiver independently of the clock mechanism the pins are ejected Vby operation of the ejector button adjacent each radial row of pins and the radio broadcast receiver tuned under manual control independently of the clock mechanism.

Referring to Fig. 1 ofthe drawings, the casing for the combined clock and radio receiving apparatus is indicated at 1 including the grille 2 through which sound emanates and showing the radio broadcast receiver apparatus in dotted lines at 3. The clock dial is shown at 4 around which the selective mechanism 5 is arranged. The manual control 6 is provided for the adjustment of the tuning apparatus in the radio broadcast receiver 3.

Fig. 2 of the drawings shows the clock dial 4 in enlarged view with the selective mechanism 5 arranged concentrically around the clock dial. The hands of the clock have been illustrated, the minute hand being shown at 7 and the hour hand being indicated at 8. A circular slot 9 is provided in the face 4 of the clock, which slot provides a passage for the angularly disposed member 10 through the face of the clock and toward the rear thereof, the annularly disposed member 1.0 carrying the radially extending brush 11 which is adapted to establish wiping connection with any one of the pins constituting part of the selective mechanism. The pins constituting the selective mechanism are shown in radially disposed rows, the pins having buttons 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18. Each button connects with a selector pin shown at 12a. 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a and 18a,

adapted to be projected in the path of the radially extending brush 11 as shovm more clearly in Fig. 5.

Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the selector pins on an enlarged scale. Each selector pin is provided with a pair of flange portions shown at 18h in Figs. 9 and 10. These fiange portions are adapted to engage the oppositely disposed spring members 18e and 18d in each side of the recess 5a formed in the annular member 5. In order to secure the spring members 18e and 18d in po- Sition in the form of jaws between which the selector pins may be moved, I provide circular wire members 13e and 18j which pass around the sides of the recess 5a and extend around the entire annular member 5 securing the several spring devices in position in each recess in the circular rows of selector pins.v That is to say, the circular wire members 18e and 18j form concentric franies which provide mounting means for the opposed spring members individual to each selector pin and also provide electrical connection with all of the selector pins in each concentric row to a particular solenoid through the conductor` 32. After the depression of one or more of the selector pins, these pins may be ejected by radially shifting the insulated strip member 20 under control of the resetting button 21. The strip 20 lcarries a multiplicity of pairs of upstanding cam members represented at 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 whose function is to coact with and engage the lower face of the buttons 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18 respectively, for ejecting any 'one of the buttons which may be depressed. This ejection is effected by the coaction of the resetting button 21 with the apertured portion 29 of the radially positioned strip 20 when the resetting button 21 is depressed as shown in Fig. 6 against the action of spring 30. The strip 20 is slotted to permit the free passage of each of the ejector pins as illustrated at 3l. Each of the selector buttons are identified with' the call letters of a particular station as represented for example in Fig. 8. When the apparatus is calibrated any desired station, identification may be applied to the selector buttons.

'I'he circuits which extend from the selective mechanism adjacent the clock dial connect with the solenoids shown at 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 in Figs. 11 and 12. As shown more clearly in Figs. 13 and 14, the several solenoids are mounted on an annular supporting plate 40 having concentric slots 41 therein through which portions of the casings of the solenoids project as illustrated at 33a. The projections 33a each have screw devices 33h therein which are engaged by the thumb nuts 33e which enable the solenoids to be angularly adjusted about the support 40. Each solenoid magnetically operates upon a core member in the form of a resilient suspended plunger which I have illustrated at 33d, 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d, 38d and 39d. The suspension for each plunger is shown, for example, at 33e and 39e secured to the frame members 33j and 39j which are secured to the mounting means for the several solenoids and are adjustable therewith. That is to say, as the magnets are adjusted around the frame 40 the radially extending members 33,1f and 39j, etc., may also be adjusted to selected angular positions and xed in such positions by tightening upon the thumb nuts 33e. 'I'he magnetic core members 33d, 34d, 35d, 36d, 37d, 38d and 39d operate upon the ends of the pnmgers asa, 34g, 35g, asa, 37g, 150

' 43h and 43o.

38g and 39g, respectively, each of the plungers carrying a roller member 33h, 34h, 35h, 36h, 37h, 38h and 39h, respectively. It is understood that the plunger members are constructed of nonrnagnetic material and are separate and independent from the magnetic core members which are operated upon by the respective solenoids. These roller members engage the peripheral edge of the cardioid shaped cam 42 which is carried by the vertically extending shaft 43. The shaft 4 3 is adapted for angular movement within a range of 180 as limited by pin 43a and stops The shaft 43 carries a gear 44 which meshes with the gears 45 which are op erated by the adjusting dial 6 for imparting rotation to the shaft 43. The adjusting dial 6 may be operated from the front of the cabinet structure A1 which houses the clock and radio receiving apparatus as heretofore explained in connection with Fig. 1. Suitable supporting means 46 and 47 are arranged within the cabinet structure for mounting the tuning actuator and the manual adjusting mechanism respectively as shown. q The shaft 43 is connected through bevel gear 48 with bevel gear 49 on Shaft 50 of the tuning apparatus. In this arrangement, I have shown the tuning apparatus as comprising a multiple variable condenser having a multiplicity of sections shown at 5l and 52 mounted for angular adjustment. In order that the shaft 50 of the tuning apparatus may be mechanically balanced with precision, I ar. range a. compensating Weight system on the endv of the tuning shaft 50 as shown at 53. The weights 54 and 55 may be adjusted along the arm 53 of the compensator until accurate balancing of the condenser system is'assured so that when the shaft 43 is revolved to a given position, the shaft will remain in that position until a further increment of angular movement is imparted thereto.

In the schematic diagram of Fig. 15, the arrangement of the several control solenoids has lfeen illustrated with respect to the cardioid shaped cam 42. Each solenoid represents a connection to selector pins disposed ina concentric row. That is, there is one solenoid for each concentric row of pins and that solenoid is operated at predetermined times depending upon whether or not the pins representing such time interval are depressed. The circuit through each solenoid as represented in Fig. 15 ,is completed through' the hour hand 8, the brush 11, a particular selector pin, through a circuit to the solenoid and then to a supply source designated in Fig.

' 15 at plus and minus.

ually under control of the adjusting device 6v without disturbing the selector pins constituting part of therselective mechanism. When it is desired to pretune the radio broadcast receiver according to a particular schedule, certain buttons are depressed. In determining what buttons are depressed the broadcast listener is guided by the printed program schedule which appears in the daily newspaper. Scanning the daily program the subscriber depresses certain selector buttons around the dial of the clock. For example, if the program from station WRC is desired for a given time period, the selector buttons in the circular row 18 are depressed for a given portion or sector of the clock dial. The cathode circuit of the radio broadcast receiver is maintained continuously energized so that as the hour hand of the clock approaches the depressed selector pin representing station WRC and establishes contact through brush 11 with the depressed pin 18a, a circuit through the particular solenoid 38, for example, is completed. The normal position of the apparatus under manual control is shown in Fig. l1. However, when the circuit is closed through the solenoid 38, the plunger 38g is ejected as shown in Fig. l2, forcing roller 38h against the periphery of the cardiod shaped cam 42. The cardioid curve may be considered as the path described by a point on the circumference of a, circle which rolls on another circle of equal size. The equation of the cardioid curve in polar coordinance is:

the circle upon which the describing circle rolls.

By reason of the fact that the radius of the cardioid curve is continuously changing, I have found that pressure directed radially toward the revolving center of the cardioid and applied at any point Within 180 along the periphery of the cardioid 'cam tends to shift the cardioid cam to a position where the line of applied force coincides with the shortest radius of the curve. I have therefore employed a cam having an outline which is a cardioid curve for effecting movement of the tunng shaft of the radio receiving apparatus.

In Fig. 11 there is shown the plunger 38g about to b applied against the periphery of the cardioid shaped cam 42. As the pressure is applied against the cardioid shaped cam, angular movement is imparted to the shaft 43 and the cam shifted to the position shown in Fig. 12 rotating the condenser shaft 50 to a position which tunes the radio receiving apparatus to a predetermined frequency for the reception of the designated station WRC. The cam is locked in this position by the irterlock between the roller 32h and the indented portion 42a of the cam.

As the brush 11 leaves the projected pins and advances toward other pins around the clock dial, a circuit is established through another solenoid resulting in the ejection of the plunger thereof substantially simultaneously with the cutting off of the circuit through the aforementioned solenoid and the retraction of the plunger thereof under spring pressure. The application of pressure by the succeeding plunger against the periphery ofthe cardioid shaped cam results in the movement of the cardioid cam 42 to an angular position where the shortest radius of the cam coincides with the axis of the active plunger re- -sulting in the setting of the tuning shaft 50 to a position which brings in. the desired program. The process is repeated for other programs at given times during the day depending upon the depression of particular selector pins for governing the operation of the radio broadcast receiver.

While I have illustrated theclock mechanism as having a limited number of control means for the reception of particular programs, it will bev understood that additional selector buttons may be added to the apparatus for the setting of the radio receiver to such additional frequencies as may be required. Suitable buttons may be provided for the adjustment of the receiving appa.-

ratus for television channels or talking motion picture channels, or for facsimile or radio printer reception. I prefer'to employ an electric clock in the apparatus of my invention connected with a timed alternating current power supply inasmuch as greater precision in time may be depended upon for the cutting in of the radio broadcast receiver at desired time intervals.

-While I have described my invention in one of its preferred embodiments, I desire that it be understood that modifications may be made and that no limitations upon my invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

1. An automatic control apparatus for selectively adjusting a radio receiver to particular frequency settings at predetermined times comprising a clock having a plurality of concentric rows of depressible buttons positioned around the face thereof, a brush carried by the hour hand of the clock and adapted toestablish wiping connection with the depressed buttons of the control apparatus, a radio receiving apparatus, tuning mechanism for said apparatus, a rotatable shaft for adjusting said tuning mechanism, a cam carried by said shaft, and a multiplicity of solenoids disposed within an angular distance of less than 180 around said cam, one of said solenoids being individual to each concentric row of buttons, said solenoids having plungers operating to impress radially directed impact forces against the periphery of said cam for imparting movement to said cam and correspondingly shifting said rotatable shaft to a predetermined position.

2. Automatic tuning apparatus for a radio receiving system comprising in combination with a movement to said tuning means, a cam carried by said shaft, a multiplicity of solenoids disposed within an angular distance of less than 180 about said cam and controlled by the circuits established between said brush and said contacts. and a plunger individual to each of said solenoids and selectively operative for producing a radially directed impact force against the periphery of said cam for moving said shaft to a predetermined frequency setting.

3. An automatic control for radio receiving apparatus comprising a clock, selective circuits controlled by said clock, a radio receiver, a rotary tuning control for adjusting the operating frequency of said receiver, a cardioid shaped cam secured to said rotary tuning control, a multiplicity of solenoids disposed in different angular positions within a peripheral distance of less than 180 about said cam, plunger members individual 100 to each of said solenoids and directed toward the pivotal axis of said cam, electrical connections between said solenoids and said selective circuits for individually energizing said solenoids and projecting a selected plunger member radially 105.

against said cam for moving said cam to a position where the minimum radius thereof coincides with a line drawn through the actuating plunger for selectively positioning said rotary tuning control in a predetermined frequency position.

KENDALL PURDY. 

